Can religion play a role in treating disease?

Is religion making a comeback? Recent headlines tell a story. U.S. President George Bush believes that religious organizations are effective in combating social problems and he has pledged millions of dollars to them for this purpose. As well, a growing number of movies are aimed at Christians. But what about medicine? Can religion also be a productive way to treat disease?

A report in the Journal Of Family Practice reveals an astonishing fact -- 77% of hospitalized patients believe that doctors should enquire about the role spirituality plays in their lives.

But how effective is religion?

A report in The Archives Of Medicine reveals that patients with strong religious faith show decreased rates of depression and suicide.

The report adds that religious people are also better equipped to handle disease emotionally and physically. And that they recover more speedily from illnesses than non-religious people.

For instance, if you're suffering from hypertension you had better take a look at religion. The National Institute of Health in the U.S. studied 2,000 patients for six years to see if hypertension was affected by religion.

They found that those who attended a religious service at least once a week and prayed at least once a day were 40% less likely to suffer from high blood pressure, possibly due to the fact that religious meditation decreases stress and the flow of adrenaline that increases blood pressure.

Religion appears to act as a shock-absorber against physical and mental disease.

In fact, 40% of 542 hospitalized adults reported that their religious faith was the most vital factor in helping them cope with their medical problem.

So what does all this mean? Johns Hopkins Medical School now offers students an elective course in spirituality and healing. And the National Institute of Health has provided grants to several other medical schools to support religious courses.

Dr. Pat Fosarelli, assistant professor at Johns Hopkins, says, "We can't ignore the research and the patient's desire for healing to include both body and soul."

Dr. Fosarelli claims that doctors should take a patient's religious history to determine whether he or she finds support from religious beliefs.

I don't deny that many patients find solace in religion. But I find it surprising that 77% of patients believe the doctor should discuss spirituality with them.

For the last 45 years, I've discussed nearly everything under the sun with my patients. But I can't recall a single person who has asked me to enquire about their spirituality. So I am a trifle sceptical of this research, even though I'm convinced that religious faith is a powerful weapon.

Perhaps I don't project the image of a spiritual counsellor to patients. But if patients had sought my advice on spirituality, I would have referred them to a pastor.

I don't think that religion is my business. And I think it's questionable that doctors and politicians believe it's theirs.

I've often heard that religion helps dying patients accept death much easier. No doubt it does in some cases. But I've also witnessed some exceptions to this theory.

Many years ago, I spent several months as a hotel doctor in French Canada.

One of my patients was a 90-year-old Baptist minister from Texas. He was as close to death as any person I've ever seen and fought death every inch of the way.

In the end, he survived and returned home.

But I've always wondered why he fought so hard. After all, if he were a true believer, why wouldn't the 90 year old Baptist minister be delighted to finally meet his Maker?